The Surf Coast Shire is proposing to increase rates for what it classes as ‘commercial holiday homes’. The shire scoured holiday accommodation websites to identify the properties for this draft budget.

The budget was released for public comment on Tuesday night, with councillors hailing the ‘modest’ average rate rise of 4.75% as their lowest hike in at least a decade.

The Surf Coast Shire has called for a full review of land use and power generation options in Anglesea while the future of the town’s mine and power station remain undecided.

Alcoa’s licence to generate electricity in Anglesea expires in August, to coincide with the closure of its Point Henry aluminium smelter. Alcoa intends to sell its Anglesea operations as a stand-alone electricity plant, but an application to extend … Continue Reading »